Peer Group Identification as Determinant of Youth Behavior and the Role of Perceived Social Support in Problem Gambling

Iina Savolainen,Atte Oksanen,Anu Sirola,Markus Kaakinen

doi:10.1007/s10899-018-9813-8

Abstract

Gambling opportunities have increased rapidly during recent years. Previous research shows that gambling is a popular activity among youth, which may contribute to problem gambling. This study examined how social identification with online and offline peer groups associates with youth problem gambling behavior and if perceived social support buffers this relationship. Data were gathered with an online survey with 1212 American and 1200 Finnish participants between 15 and 25 years of age. Measures included the South Oaks Gambling Screen for problem gambling, and items for peer group identification and perceived social support. It was found that youth who identify strongly with offline peer groups were less likely to engage in problem gambling, while strong identification with online peer groups had the opposite effect. We also found that the associations between social identification and problem gambling behavior were moderated by perceived social support. Online peer groups may be a determinant in youth problem gambling. Focusing on offline peer groups and increasing social support can hold significant potential in youth gambling prevention.

Highlights

Over the past decade, gambling has increased its popularity as a recreational activity (Molinaro et al 2018; Orford 2010), among individuals between 11 and 25 years of age, or, youth (Calado et al 2017; UNESCO 2017)
Consistent with the notion that similar-minded peers can be found online, our study found that those youths who reported belonging with mainly online peer groups, were more likely to engage in problem gambling behavior
This study examined the relationship between peer group identification and problem gambling behavior among young individuals in the United States and Finland

Summary

Introduction

Over the past decade, gambling has increased its popularity as a recreational activity (Molinaro et al 2018; Orford 2010), among individuals between 11 and 25 years of age, or, youth (Calado et al 2017; UNESCO 2017). Even though gambling is illegal for underaged youth, new gambling technologies have made different forms of gambling widespread and much easier for even the youngest individuals to access (Blinn-Pike et al 2010; Canale et al 2016; Elton-Marshall et al 2016). Among a sample of ≥ 18-year-old college student problem gamblers, Petry and GonzalezIbanez (2015) found that nearly half (49%) had gambled on the Internet during the month prior to the study. Molinaro et al (2018) reported that 22.6% of 16-year-old students had gambled during the past year, 16.2% of them online

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